Demolition began this week on part of the White House's East Wing to make way for President Donald Trump's proposed $250 million ballroom. The project, which began amid a government shutdown, is drawing sharp criticism and plenty of late-night punchlines.

President Trump’s plan to add an expansive ballroom to the White House will mean the demolition of the entire East Wing, which was expected to be fully torn down by this weekend, according to a senio...